Daniel Tay

I can't remember the first time I saw "Elf" on television. I don't think this is unusual. Often, the most popular Christmas movies are ones that appear on television the most often, and "Elf" is certainly a cable staple. But that isn't the only reason it's one of the best Christmas movies of all time. "Elf" is a magical blend of earnestness and silliness, New York City and the North Pole, as well as a group of actors who lend their considerable talents to make a classic, eminently lovable film. On Nov. 7, 2003, "Elf" was released 20 years ago. It was directed by Jon Favreau and written by David Berenbaum and tells the tale of Buddy the elf, who is not really an elf but a human. Buddy is Will Ferrell's best comeback, and it's one of his finest performances. Ferrell plays characters who aren't as smart as others, but here he does it without the cynicism and darkness that others have. Buddy isn't mocking him. Buddy is just who he is: a joking fellow who wants to share all of what being human entails with an infinite heart that he wants to share with everyone in the world, from kids he meets in the doctor's office to his gruesome mailroom coworkers.

In 2003, Elf made a comeback and became a holiday staple. Buddy the Elf (Will Ferrell) is introduced in the film after he discovers he's not quite like the others and heads north to discover his true father. Walter Hobbs, the no-nonsense businessman who is trying to integrate into the modern world, is his true father (James Caan). Walter is his true father, according to his reluctant husband Emily (Mary Steenburgen) and son Michael (Daniel Tay). Since Elf's holiday film took over the world by storm, a lot has happened.